Chapter 7

Internal energy

7.1 Potential energy of macroscopic springs

Ideal Spring Potential Energy
Us = (1/2)kss2
s is stretch, measured from the equilibrium point

Energy in a Oscillating Spring-Mass System

As the compressed spring

expands K of the block
increases, and Us decreases

As the stretched spring

contracts K of the block
increases, and Us decreases

Energy in a Spring Mass System

A block sliding on a
frictionless system
collides with a light
spring
The block attaches
to the spring

7.1 Potential energy of macroscopic springs

Flow of Energy in the Spring-Mass System (in absence of friction)
E = 0

Ef = Ei

Kf + Us,f = Ki + Us,i

Example: Energy in a spring-Mass System

A mass of 0.2 kg is attached to a horizontal spring whose stiffness
is 12 N/m. Friction is negligible. At t = 0 the spring has a stretch of
3 cm and the mass has a speed of 0.5 m/s.
a) What is the amplitude (maximum stretch) of the oscillation?
b) What is the maximum speed of the block?

7.1 Potential energy of macroscopic springs

Ideal Spring Potential Energy
Us = (1/2)kss2
s is stretch, measured from the equilibrium point
For a system of a mass and ideal spring, all the state are bound states:
K+U <0

Energy in a Oscillating Spring-Mass System

As the compressed spring

expands, K of the block
increases, and Us decreases

As the stretched spring

contracts, K of the block
increases, and Us decreases

7.2 Potential energy of a pair of neutral atoms

Two neutral atoms interact very little

when far apart, attract each other at
intermediate distances, and repel each
other at very short distances

The Morse potential energy function

UM , representing the potential energy
of two interacting neutral atoms as a
function of separation

7.2 Potential energy of a pair of neutral atoms

7.X.3 At separation r1, what is the

physical significance of the quantity A?
Of the quantity B? Of the quantity C?

7.X.4 Which of the states are bound

states of a two-atom system? Which
are unbound states?

7.3 Path independence of potential energy

Path Independent of Potential Energy

Change in potential energy U doesnt depend on the path taken.

For a round trip, the change in U is zero

Potential energy difference is

independent of the path between
the initial and final locations.

A particle moves from A along

a path and returns to A

7.3 Path independence of potential energy

Example: A Rebounding Block
A metal block of mass 3 kg is moving downward with speed 2 m/s
when the bottom of the block is 0.8 m above the floor. When the
bottom of the block is 0.4 m above the floor, it strikes the top of a
relaxed vertical spring 0.4 m in length. The stiffness of the spring is
2000 N/m.

a) The block continues downward, compressing the spring. When

the bottom of the block is 0.3 m above the floor, what is the speed?
b) The block eventually heads upward, loses contact with the spring,
and continues upward. What is the maximum height reached by the
bottom of the block above the floor?
c) What approximations did you make?

7.4 Internal energy and thermal energy

Two objects with the compressed
spring has more internal energy.

More rotation means more

internal energy in the form of
rotational energy.

More vibration means more

internal energy in the form
vibrational energy.

Internal energy = Ethermal + Erotational + Evibrational + Echemical + .

7.4 (Continue)
Specific Heat Capacity C per-gram Basis
c = DEthermal/(mDT)

m in grams
Energy input of 4.2 joules into a
gram of water raises the temperature
by 1 K. We say that the specific heat
capacity of water is 4.2 J/K/gram

Example: Energy Input Raises the Temperature

You stir 12 kg of water vigorously, doing 36,000 joules of work. If the
container is well insulated (so that all of your energy input goes into
increasing the energy of the water), what temperature rise would you expect?

7.4 (Continue)

Example: Thermal Equilibrium

A 300 gram block of aluminum at temperature 500 K is placed on a 650
gram block of iron at temperature 350 K in an insulated enclosure. At
these temperatures the specific heat capacity of aluminum is
approximately 1.0 J/K/gram, and the specific heat capacity of iron is
approximately 0.42 J/K/gram. Within a few minutes the two blocks reach
the same common temperature Tf . Calculate Tf .

7.7 Power: energy per unit time

Power
Energy per unit time (J/s, watts) = f v
Instantaneous Power
Power = F . dr = F . v

Problem: A certain motor is capable of doing 6000 joules of

work in 7 seconds. What is the power output of this motor?
Power = 857 J/s = 857 watts

7.8 Open and closed systems

For any closed system, inflow = outflow = 0, so D Esystem = 0

The energy of a closed system does not change

The Universe consists of all matter and energy, so D Euniverse = 0
The Universe as a whole is the most important example of a closed system
Open systems can all
interact energetically
with their surroundings.

A bank is an open system

A house is an open system

7.9 The choice of system affects energy accounting

DEsystem = 0

System: ball

System: Earth + ball

Ef = Ei + W; W = 0
Kf + Uf = Ki + Ui

0 + mgh = (mvi2)/2

Ef = Ei + W
Kf = Ki + W
0 = (mvi2)/2 - mgh

7.9 The choice of system affects energy

accounting
DEsystem = 0

7.11 Potential energy and conservative forces

Types of Forces
There are two general kinds of forces
Conservative
Work and energy associated with the force can be
recovered
Examples: gravitational force, spring force, electric force
Nonconservative
The forces are generally dissipative and work done
against it cannot easily be recovered
Examples: static and kinetic friction force, tension,
normal force, air resistance

7.11 Potential energy and conservative forces

Version 1 A force is conservative when the work it
does on a moving object is independent of the path
between the objects initial and final positions.

Gravitational force is a conservative

force; the work done by the
gravitational force on the ball is:

Wgravity mg ho h f

7.11 Potential energy and conservative forces

Version 2 A force is conservative when it does no
work on an object moving around a closed path,
starting and finishing at the same point.

Wgravity mg ho h f

ho h f

A roller coaster track is an

example of a closed path .